Costa Rica '17

Well this took me long enough to put together! It took me a long time to go through all the photos, so many photos! In January we went to Costa Rica for a family vacation! I got to go along with my husbands family, it was a blast! I think Costa Rica is one of those places you can keep going back to and discover new things every time!

We started out the trip with The Toucan Rescue Ranch. It stated as a bird sanctuary and eventually turned into a complete wildlife rescue. We had breakfast with sloths and took a tour. It was great to see that all the animals that can be rehabilitated are released back into the wild. Oh and of course, I am totally in love with the Sloths, so cute!!

After the animal rescue we drove for a few hours and ended up at out first hotel just outside the city of La Fortuna its located by the Arenal volcano and rain forest. The air was so warm and misty, everything was always damp. But I loved all the giant plants and vegetation! I am a big plant lover and wanted to take all these Jurassic looking plants home with me! Also, fun fact, the first Jurassic Park was filmed in Costa Rica!

We of course went on a hanging bridge tour.. I am not afraid of heights, but for some reason I did not enjoy the feeling of a swinging bridge high up in the tree tops. By the 8th bridge I was trying to channel my Indian Jones but I just couldn't. I got on and off those bridges as fast as I could. Also only 15 persons were allowed on them at a time.. some people can't read. EEEP!

 Our next adventure was a bumpy drive to the city of Monteverde. This was my favorite city, hotel and climate. Here is was much drier then the previous city, there was blue sky and lots of amazing wildlife to see! We had an open patio in our room with a sign that read: "Please lock up belongings your don't want the monkey's to steal". Well, we never saw any monkeys, but we saw amazing birds and butterflies. This city was also one of my favorites for food. Costa Rica 'typical' (that's what they call it) food consists of rice, beans, plantains and either meat or fish. Its my kind of food. Also my new favorite drink, a Guaro Sour. It's a traditional sugar cane liquor with fresh lime and splash of club soda. Try it HERE.  

Above a shot of out Monteverde Hotel, it was straight out of the 60's and I loved it! 

Below a shot of one of the hanging bridges in the Cloud Forest in Monteverde. 

Our hike through the cloud forest, that's Chuck + Patti, aren't they cute?!
Below was our rafting trip, nope no white water for this girl, Im a total wuss, I know. This rafting tour was a nature spotting one only!

 

Some randomness, Costa Rica really made me break out the only color in my wardrobe. 

I was inspired by the color of all the buildings, tile and flowers.

Last stop, the beach. We landed in Tamarindo a beach side town on the Pacific ocean. Man it was HOT. We had gone from the mid 60's-70's to what felt like the dry heat of mid 90's. But it was so nice to bust out all the beach wear I brought! This last leg of our journey was mostly about relaxing and eating. My two favorite things! The beach was gorgeous and I loved being able to watch all the surfers while eating my breakfast. The food at our hotel and all around the beach was awesome. We ate most nights with our toes in the sand.

It was a remarkable trip. Everyone we met, our guide, our driver were amazing! I even learned a bit of Spanish! The Costa Rica motto is "PURA VIDA"  pronounced like "puda bida' meaning Pure Life. They say it as a hello, good bye, how are you, what's up! I can't wait to go back.

Pura Vida! xo

Penland School of Craft | part two

Working everyday for 6 days straight, starting early, working into the morning was something I had never really done until Penland. I love sleep, boy to I love going to bed early, and waking up late. You think I would have been tired.. but the exact opposite was true when I was there. I was full of energy,  I barely needed sleep. I was just so excited to be learning new things and playing, no pressure to finish things, or make them perfect for clients, is was just FUN.

Ok, also the food... three square meals, good meals, so good. It was like eating at the Willie Street Co-Op everyday. Fresh greens and salad bar with homemade everything. Penland has its own garden where a lot of the food comes from too. There is kitchen staff but also the core students (living and learning for 2 years) cook and clean. Not having to worry about what and when you are going to eat while working is an awesome treat, I got real used to it! YUMMMMMM!

Our class was a blast, I cant really put the whole experience into words.. it was life changing. I cant wait to go back and take more classes. The spring schedule is full of awesome metalworking classes. But also wouldn't it be fun to take a class in a medium Ive never worked with? That is the great thing about Penland.. you need no experience, everyone at every skill level is welcome. I LOVE THIS PLACE!

Penland School Of Craft | part one

A week ago my studio mates and I set out on an adventure to the Penland School of Craft in the mountains of North Carolina. We left sunny Wisconsin in the Saab and headed towards the mountains. We drove until we couldn't, made it better then half way on Friday. A lot of podcasts, mix tapes and roadside yoga later we made it to Ashville on Saturday. We had to check out the local music scene, saw a great live show & had equally yummy dinner.
Sunday morning we headed up the mountains to Penland. We took the scenic route which was the most beautiful, the colors, the sky, the fresh air... the smoky Mountains, it was breath taking.

Mid Sunday we arrived at Penland with enough time to walk through the welcome center + gallery then take our time walking around the campus before orientation. That's Erin on the left, Missy on the right, and my crazy excited ass in the middle!

The sun was setting as we made our way to orientation, got our dorm numbers and started class that evening at 8pm sharp. Above- our dorms, below the view from my work bench... amazing right?!

I have so many photos of this adventure that I have to break them up into parts or you would be scrolling forever. Above are photos of the incredible metals studio we got to play in for the week. We were allowed full access to the studios and all the equipment as long as we had a buddy. We all worked until at least midnight, one or two AM everyday!

Around Here | MN Weekend

Spent last weekend with my mother-in law and her sisters for a mother/daughter weekend in MN. It was so much fun, drinks, shopping, relaxing AND I actually went to an art fair instead of being in it. A great change of pace for sure. After getting home I spent Monday in the studio playing catch-up on Etsy orders, but it was totally worth it. Tuesday my sis and I spent packing and shipping.. then I cleaned the crap out of my house. It felt so good. Man it needed it bad. I rearranged the plants and everything. Ahhh, feelings of accomplishment.

1- Powder horn art fair 
2- me + clogs
3- Powder horn art fair
4- clog close up
5- the dining room after it was cleaned up + rearranged

A 30th Birthday in Paris!

A Paris Birthday vacation! Honestly I think I am still speechless about the whole experience... it was magical. The food, the people, the style, the shopping, the energy, the coffee... the smoking! It was a dream world. I need to work on my french and go back for sure. Thank you to my amazing husband and his family for such a dream... only thing is, I'm still 30. Its more glamorous in Paris! :D

Around Here | Paris!!!

Today is the day we are off the Paris!! My amazing husband and his family surprised my with a trip to Paris to celebrate this mile stone birthday... I think I am still speech less over the whole thing. Trying to pack has left me kind of dumbfounded as well. At this point I am packing a lot of black and hoping I can put some outfits together when I arrive. Or I could always just go shopping... I mean, its PARIS!!! See y'all when we're back!